Bank Accounts

You have the right to a basic back account

• You do not need to provide utility bills.
• You do not need to have a fixed address.

The following banks are legally required to give you a basic bank account:

• Barclays UK.
• The Co-operative Bank.
• HSBC UK.
• Lloyds Banking Group, including:
  • Halifax.
  • Bank of Scotland brands.
• Nationwide Building Society
• NatWest Group, including:
  • RBS.
  • Ulster Bank brands.
• Santander UK.
• TSB.
• Virgin Money, formerly:
  • Clydesdale & Yorkshire Bank.

If the bank refuses you an account

• Tell the bank the law changed in September 2016.
  • It retains much of what was included in the EU Payment Accounts Directive.
• You can use this template letter to give to the bank. It states that
  • Banks must offer basic bank accounts to anyone living legally in the EU.

Exceptions

• People with criminal convictions for fraud cannot get a basic bank account.